CD. Flatjacks by Latin perscussionist Willie Rodriguez is one of the few dates to feature his name as a leader. Rarer still is that this is one of the few sessions where Rodriguez is the actual drummer in a quartet. This does not mean he left his arsenal of percussion instruments at home but rather they complement his drumming in a straight jazz quartet setting. Featuring the great George Duvivier on bass melodic genius Barry Galbraith on guitar and saxophone wunderkind Seldon Powell Flatjacks was recorded in New York in 1963 was released on Milestone and quickly disappeared without a trace -- with the exception of being revered by jazz musicians of the day. Featuring tunes by everyone in the band -- including the smoking bossa nova of the tile track by Duvivier and the funky Tasty by Powell -- this set also features unlikely tomes from Clark Terry ( One Foot in the Gutter ) and Ed Michel ( After Words ). But it is Rodriguez s compositions such as Mr. Yosso Ñañigo Soul Seafood Wally and the legendary Brasileira that are the standouts here. Rodriguez s ability to walk the three lines that matter -- namely swing Latin styles and the blues -- with equal precision and grace as well as passion give his material a deeply textured soulful feel that is tough to match let alone beat. This record swings on the post-bop and contemporary bossa level yet it s always a surprise to hear the blues spoken and referred to so constantly and prominently. This is one of those reissues that should have happened years ago. Flatjacks is brilliant sunny and masterful. ~ Thom Jurek Rovi